Pipe cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A CLEANING DEVICE FOR THE OUTSIDE SURFACE OF A PIPE COMPRISES A PAIR OF SEMI-ANNULAR MEMBERS EACH HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSITE FREE ENDS 180* APART, EACH OF THE SEMI-ANNULAR MEMBERS HAVING A SEMI-CIRCULAR INNER SURFACE AND A SEMI-CIRCULAR OUTER SURFACE. A HINGE DEVICE AT A CORRESPONDING FREE END OF EACH OF THE MEMBERS HINGEDLY JOINS THE MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER. A RELEASABLE FASTENER AT THE OTHER CORRESPONDING FREE END OF EACH OF THE MEMBERS RELEASABLY AFFIXES THE MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER IN SUBSTANTIALLY O-SHAPED CONFIGURATION. A PLURALITY OF WIRE BRUSH BRISTLES ARE AFFIXED TO THE INNER SURFACE OF EACH OF THE MEMBERS AND EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY RADIALLY INWARD. A HOUSING ENCLOSES PART OF THE SEMI-ANNULAR MEMBERS. A DRIVING DEVICE IN THE HOUSING IS COUPLED TO THE SEMI-ANNULAR MEMBERS FOR ROTATING THE MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR COMMON AXIS.

United States Patent [191 Stone June 28, 1974 PIPE CLEANING DEVICE [75] Inventor: John F. Stone, Elizabethtown, Pa.

22 Filed: May 31,1973

21 Appl. No.: 365,756

[52] US. Cl. l5/104.04, 15/88, 29/81 F, 29/81 H [51] Int. Cl B08b 9/00 [58] Field of Search 15/88, 104.04; 29/81 F, 29/81 H [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,144,759 6/1915 Eek I5/lO4.04 3,527,611 9/1970 Newfarmer 15/l04.04 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,546,499 10/1968 France 15/104.04

Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel Jay Tick 5 7 ABSTRACT A cleaning device for the outside surface of a pipe comprises a pair of semi-annular members each having a pair of opposite free ends 180 apart, each of the semi-annular members having a semi-circular inner surface and a semi-circular outer surface. A hinge device at a corresponding free end of each of the members hingedly joins the members to each other. A releasable fastener at the other corresponding free end of each of the members releasably affixes the members to each other in substantially O-shaped configuration. A plurality of wire brush bristles are affixed to the inner surface of each of the members and extend substantially radially inward. A housing encloses part of the semi-annular members. A driving device in the housing is coupled to the semi-annular members for rotating the members about their common axis.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PIPE CLEANING DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pipe cleaning device. More particularly, the invention relates to a cleaning device for the outside surface of a pipe.

Objects of the invention are to provide a pipe cleaning device of simple structure, light weight and compact structure, which is easy, convenient, safe and simple to handle and operate, and which cleans the outside surface of a pipe of paint and other matter with rapidity, efficiency, effectiveness and reliability.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a side view of an embodiment of the pipe cleaning device of the invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of part of the pipe cleaning device of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a front view, partly cutaway, of part of the pipe cleaning device of the invention.

In the F IGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The pipe cleaning device of the invention is for cleaning the outside surface 1 of a pipe 2 (FIGS. 1 and 3). The pipe cleaning device of the invention comprises a pair of semi-annular members 3 and 4 (FIG. 3). Each of the semi-annular members 3 and 4 has a pair of opposite free ends 5 and 6, and 7 and 8, respectively (FIG. 3), 180 apart. Each of the semi-annular members 3 and 4 has a semi-circular inner surface 9 and 10, respectively, and a semi-circular outer surface 11 and 12, respectively (FIG. 3).

A hinge device 13 (FIG. 3) is provided at the corresponding free ends 5 and 7 of the semi-annular members 3 and 4, respectively, and hingedly joins the members to each other.

A releasable fastener 14 (FIG. 3) at the other corresponding free ends 6 and 8 of the semi-annular members 3 and 4, respectively, releasably affixes the members to each other in substantially O-shaped configuration, as shown in FIG. 3. The fastener 14 is opened and the semi-annular members 3 and 4 are spaced from each other about their hinge device 13 and fitted over the pipe. The members 3 and 4 are then fastened to each other by the fastener 14 and the pipe cleaning device is ready to operate to clean the outer surface 1 of the pipe 2.

A plurality of wire brush bristles l5, l6, l7, l8, l9 and are affixed to the inner surface 9 and 10 respectively, of each of the semi-annular members 3 and 4 (FIG. 3) and extend substantially radially inward;

A housing 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2) encloses part of the semi-annular members 3 and 4. 1

A driving device in the housing 21 is coupled to the semi-annular members 3 and 4 for rotating the members about their common axis 22 (FIG. 3). The driving device comprises a motor such as, for example, that of an electricpower tool 23 (FIG. 1) and a coupling arrangement coupling the motor to the semi-annular members at their outer surfaces 11 and 12. The coupling arrangement may comprise a drive shaft or hit 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a friction contact element 25 (FIGS. 1 and 2) mounted on and rotating with the shaft and abutting the members 3 and 4 at their outer surfaces 11 and 12.

A knob or handle 26 (FIG. I) may be provided on the housing 21 to facilitate holding thereof during use.

While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A cleaning device for the outside surface of a pipe,

said cleaning device comprising a pair of semi-annular members each having a pair of opposite free ends apart, each of the semiannular members having a semi-circular inner surface and a semi-circular outer surface;

hinge means at a corresponding free end of each of the members hingedly joining the member to each other;

releasable fastening means at the other corresponding free end of each of the members for releasably affixing the members to each other in substantially O-shaped configuration;

a plurality of wire brush bristles afiixed to the inner surface of each of the members and extending substantially radially inward;

housing means enclosing part of the semi-annular members; and

driving means in the housing means coupled to the semi-annular members for rotating the members about their common axis.

2. A cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving means comprises motor means and coupling means coupling the motor means to the semi-annular members at their outer surfaces. 

